Locking device.



F. J. VBNNING.

' LOOKING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION rum) JULY 31, 1911.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

" .dctails of construction and in the combina- 'the'construction and application of my de-. vice: Figure l is a vertical cross sectional a section through the steering column, lllussame, the tumbler being shown in position 'a citizen of the United States, residing-at- .in the steering column for the purpose of FRANK J. vsnmno, or CINCINNATI, 01110.

mortise nnvrcs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb; 10, 1 914.

Application filce'iuly 31, 1911. Serial No. 641,521.

1 '0 all whom 'it may concern I Be it knownthat I, FRANK J. VENNING,

Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to locking devices for automobiles, mot-0r cycles, bicycles and the like.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, nea'nefiicient and inexpensive locking devicethat can be conveniently applied to the steering column in such a manner as trol of the vehicle.

My invention consists in the con'ibination' with a steering shaft, of a-locl: having an cscutolreon adapted to surround the steering column adjacent the dash and the floor of the vehicle, said lock being provided with a locking bar adapted to engage slots controlling the movement of the steering mechanism. I

' My invention also consists in certain novel tio'n and arrangement of parts as herein set forth-and claimed.

. In the drawings which serve to 'llustratc.

View taken through a lock made in accord ance with my invention, and agapliedsteering column, parts of the steering col- 1 1mm, and dash of the vehicle being broken away. Fig. 2 is a front view of the device shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view showing trating how the locking device engages the engaging said locking bar. Fig.4 a cross sectional View taken through the cylinder and tumbler of the lock. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the cylinder. Fig. 6 is a modification showing a section through the steering column and illustrating how the I steering shaft may be provided with a ser es 1 of'sl'ots each of which may be engaged by z I A 3 the dividing line of the tumblers 9 to com the locking bar.

In t-he embodiment, of my invent on, as illustrated, and which shows a prcferredl construction, 1 represents a steering column comprising acasing 2, astcering wheel 3, 1

jsfi l g post or shaft 4 inside said mg 2, and to which said steering wheel 3 is fastened. The dash of the automobile is illustrated at 5, and the steering column is adapted to pass therethrough' in the usual ll'ltlllllel'. lily improved locking device is adapted to be placed over the casing 2 of the steering column, the esoutc-heon' 6 of said lock 5' being adapted to be fastened to the dash 5 by means of bolts 7. Owing to the fact that automobiles are constructed and de signed in many different styles, the steering Y column does notv always ass through the dash at the same point; t erefore, the construction of the escutcheon of the lock must be varied accordingly. I i In manv cases the throttle 22 is placed outside of the steerirg column instead of inside the steering post or shaft as shown. This is usually the case in the smaller automobiles. The lock can readily be adapted to avoid interference-with the. throttle in these cases. y w w The body 8, of, .the'lock is preferably, formed integral with-the escutcheon 6, and preferably contaixisQ'mechzinism known as the Yale lock, constructed of'a. series of spring pressed tumblers 9, adapted toe'n-ter suitable recesses or holes 10,.in a cylinder ll, and said cylinder 11 is provided with an extending'lug 12 which is adapted-to entera slot 13 in the locking bar 14, (Figs' 3 and 5).

4 the cylinder also turns, the lug 12 carrying the looking bar 14:, down to the dotted line .5 position shown in Fig. 3. A suitable slot 17, is also provided in the casing 2 to allow the locking bar 1% to pass therethrougln It is readily seen that when the lockingbar ll i is in its locked position,- that thestcering 10o shaft 4 of the steerin column cannot be moved either to the right or left, thereby hulking it impossible to manipulate the steering apparatus and eifectually preventing the control of the machine.

in Fig. l l. have illustrated my improved lock with the key inserted, thereby, causing oidc with the upper line or periphery of the cylinder ll thereby clcar'lyillust'rating how into locking position when the machine is in operationl provide an extra tumbler 18 (F i 4) which is'placed preferably at right ang es to the tumblers 9. This tumbler (or tumblers) 18, is adapted to enter the recesses 1 0of the cylinder 11, when the cylinder is in its unlocked position, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, thus making it necessary to insert thekey before turning the cylinder to its locked pdsition again.

In orderthat I may not weaken the steering post or shaft 4, by placing the recess 16, therein, I provide said steering shaft with a boss 19. This not only prevents weakening of the steering shaft 4. but also prevents the steering shaft or post from being sprung out of engagement with said locking bar- 14, there not being enough room or clearance between the boss '19 and the casing 2 to allow said springing of the steering post or shaft 14.

I do not wish to be understood by the illustrations as shown, to limit myself to the particular type of lock shown, as for instance I could readily apply a combination look if desired.

My device can also be slightly changed in design so as to be applicable to motorcycles, bicycles and vehicles having a steering column post or shaft. I, therefore, do not wish to be confined to the exact details shown. If desired a series of recesses 16 can be provided in the steering post 4 as shown in e construction shown in Fig. 6 permits the machine to be locked when the front wheels are turned to either side or at an angle to the rear wheels, in which case the machine could only move in a circle, and could not, therefore, be driven far from its original position.

When it is desired to stop an automobile while on a grade, it is customary to turn the front wheels at an angle to the rear wheels and-toward the curb-of the street in order toavoid liability of the machine coasting down 'grade, in case the brake should be accidentally released. In this case the steer- 1 ing shaft would be moved to the proper angle to allow the locking bar to enter one of the slots to one side or the other of the center slot, as the case may be. (Fig. 6).

invention is capable of considerable modlfication without material departure;

from the spirit or scope thereof. I do not,

l a part of the automobile body and adapted therefore, wish to be confined to the exact construction or arrangement herein set forth, but

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In a locking device for automobiles, the combination with a steering column and the combination with a steering column and dash, said steering column having a slot therein, of a lock, an escutcheon surrounding said steering column and securel fastened to said dash and carrying sai lock, a steering shaft in said steering column, a boss integrally formed on said steering shaft at a point adjacent the dash and having a recess therein, a locking bar in said lock, a cylinder in said lock adapted to operate said locking bar to engage the end thereof in said recess, tumblers adapted to enter said cylinders and lock the same, and a keyway in said cylinder, substantiall as set forth and for the purposes specific 3. In a locking device for automobiles, the combinationwith a dash and steering column having a slot therein, of an escutclieon surrounding said steering column and securely bolted to said dash, a lock integrally secure to said escutcheon, a steering shaft in said steering column, said steering shaft having a recess therein, a locking bar in said lock adapted to engage and disengage said recess, a cylinder in said lock adapted to operate said locking bar, tumblers adapted to enter said locking cylinder and 1001: same, and a keyway in said cylinder, substantiall as set forth and for the purposes specific 4. The combin tion with an automobile body and a steering staff of a collar fixed thereon and provided with a plurality of radially disposed sockets, a casing surrounding said collar and staff and secured to a part of the automobile body, a 'lockin bolt slidably mounted in said casing and a apted to engage in the sockets in said collar, means .for operating said bolt, and means for looking said bolt in operative and in inoperative positions. x v

5. The combination with an automobile body and a steering staff, of a collar fixedly secured thereto and provided with radially disposed sockets, a sliding bolt carried by;

dash, said steering column having a slot and also provided with means for attaching therein, of a lock, an escutcheon surround the casing to the dash-board of an automosaid steering column and securely fasl bile and disposed with respect to the casing so as to bring the opening therein in position to receive the automobile staff, and locking mechanism Within the casing for engagimient with the stafl to lock the same against turning.

T. An automobile lock comprising a casiog having alined openings in the top and bottom thereof to receive the steering staff of an automobile a collar rotatable Within the casing in axial alineinent with the top and bottom openinga thereof and adapted to he rigidly secured to an autmnobile stall, locking Hu'fCiHHllSIll within the casing to engage the collar and loch the stoerin stali' against turning, and means carried y the casing for attaching the same to a part of the automobile and disposed with respect to the casing so as to bring the openings in the casing in position to receive the steering staff of an automobile.

8. An automobile lock comprising a casing having an. opening to receive a steering staff and p1 ovided with an attaching plate disposed at such angle relative to the casing as to nermit the opening to receive an installed steering stall, and locking n1echanian within the casing for engaging the staff to look the same against turning.

FRANK J. VENNING.

\Vitncsses:

JAMES N. RAMSEY, Gowns GORDON. 

